Merrifield adds maternity clothes, handmade soaps to its repertoire

Two new retailers have joined the Merrifield neighborhood of Fairfax County, expanding on the rapidly growing area’s existing retail offerings.

Herban Lifestyle, a Fairfax-based company owned by Mary Kearns, sells natural and organic personal care products including soaps, perfumes made with essential oils, lip balms and other items.

Kearns began making her products at home in 1999 as gifts for friends. In 2008, she turned it into a business with an online store. The Merrifield store, opened Feb. 10 around the corner from the mixed-use Mosaic District, is her first brick-and-mortar location.

Within the Mosaic District, the Hip To Be Round maternity boutique will open at 2910 District Ave. March 1. The store carries maternity clothing, diaper bags, baby carriers and other pregnancy and newborn accessories.

It will be the second location for the mommy-focused business: the first is in Richmond.

Merrifield has seen an explosion of retail and restaurant growth in the past year and a half. Mosaic opened in the fall of 2012, and the retail and restaurant spaces have been leasing up ever since. A few blocks down Gallows Road, The Halstead at Dunn Loring Metro has added several new restaurants, and Falls Church-based MHG Group has opened two new restaurants and an Italian gourmet retail shop nearby.